MP mulling pension scheme for scribes

Indore, Feb 20 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government is mulling over a proposal for a grant-based monthly pension of Rs 3,000 and allotment of housing plots to journalists.

The pension scheme, to be named 'Shraddha Nidhi', is part of the regime's new Public Relations policy that is on the verge of being announced. Sources said that the twin eligibility criteria were two decades of experience and domicile in this state. Cooperative housing societies were also proposed.

Assistance would be sought from local government agencies such as housing boards and development authorities for infrastructure development.

Creation of four director-level posts, besides more posts of additional director and joint director in the Public Relations Directorate, was proposed. Sending of public relations officers from the directorate to other departments, corporations and boards besides creation of an information service cadre were also being considered.

The policy stressed on press tours for conveying information regarding the government's development-linked schemes to the public.

Though the implementation of several schemes in the policy obviously depended on the Finance Department's stance, the interest evinced by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the policy is an indicator that its provisions might not be heavily modified.

UNI